Obituary: GARNER, KEITH

Keith Elliott Garner1919-2012Salt Lake City, UTKeith Elliott Garner died on April 26, 2012, Salt Lake City Utah, just 13 days shy of his 93rd birthday, from age related causes. He was born May 11, 1919 to Benjamin Franklin Garner and Mary Selina Carr in Sugar City, Idaho. He left home to serve an LDS mission in Hawaii in 1940 where he flourished with a great love of the people and their beautiful islands. While attending the University of San Francisco he met, courted and married Marilynn Jean Ressel on September 21, 1944 in Salt Lake Temple. He also served his country by serving in the US Army during World War II and left as a 1st Lt.In addition to establishing a very successful career in real estate and land development in the San Francisco Bay Area, Keith also began his lifelong service to his church by teaching early morning seminary and presiding as bishop of the Menlo Park ward for eleven years. In 1965 Keith moved his family to the Hong Kong mission home for three years while he served as president of the Southern Far East Mission. Shortly after his release as mission president, Keith continued his church service by moving to Salt Lake City and becoming director of the Salt Lake Visitors Center Mission. He continued working in numerous other church related endeavors throughout his life. He loved to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and was a tireless preacher missionary. He and his wife traveled throughout the world participating in church related activities. Keith was blessed with great physical energy, extraordinary intuition, and a charismatic personality. His charm and wit made him the life of the party, a dynamic leader, and an inspiring teacher. Throughout his lifetime, his generosity blessed the lives of many friends, neighbors, and his family.Keith is survived by his wife of 67 years, Marilynn, his children; Lynne (Woody Godfrey), Gayle (Greg Schenk), Kent Garner and Susan Garner; nine grandchildren and seventeen great grandchildren. The family will greet friends at a viewing at the Emigration Stake Center on 589 East 18th Avenue from 6:00 until 8:00 pm on Tuesday, May 1st. A private family memorial and interment will be held at the Salt Lake Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Church Perpetual Education Fund. Friends and Family may leave condolences at www.garnerfuneral.com